Gardner Police officers receive Valor award

Gardner Police Department is proud to announce that Sgt. James Belcher and Officers Jacob Hayes and Scott Hofer were recipients of awards for valor from the Kansas City Metro Chiefs & Sheriff’s Association. Each officer received the “Bronze Award for Valor” due to their actions surrounding a call on Aug. 23, 2012.
The awards recognized their level of “Professionalism and commitment above and beyond the normal call of service”, in regards to their disarming of a knife wielding individual who was asking the officers to end his life. Their responsive and experienced actions prevented injuries to both the individual and the officers.
Gardner Chief of Police Gerald Cullumber nominated the officers for the award based on the officer’s actions and their handling of the call.
“I’m very proud of the officers and the job they did on the call. They successfully resolved a very dangerous situation based on their training and experience,” Cullumber said. “There was no loss of life or serious injury to anyone involved. I’m also very proud of the fact we have been recognized by our peers in the law enforcement community. This is the first time in the history of the department that any officer has received a Valor Award. The citizens of Gardner should be proud of the officers, and the direction we are headed”.
Belcher, Hayes and Hofer were selected, along with other officers, from the Kansas City metro law enforcement community to receive the award after a lengthy review by an MCSA board consisting of other area Chief’s and Sheriff’s.
This is the first time in the history of the Gardner Police Department that officers have been recognized by the Metropolitan Chiefs and Sheriffs Association for their commitment and bravery.
The officers will receive their awards in a formal ceremony on November 22nd at the Argosy Casino. TV’s Fox 4 Morning News Anchor, Loren Halifax, will assist in the presentation of the awards.